Spiced Manhattan Cocktail
Sweet and Spicy and bursting with holiday flavor, this Spiced Manhattan Cocktail Recipe is just the way to start you holiday parties this year.
Lieutenant Dan here.
As I thought about what to write about this month, I couldn’t help but consider things I was thankful for. This time of year tends to bring out the grateful gene in all of us – which causes us to ponder the many blessings in our life.
Far and away the greatest blessing for me would be the friendships I have been fortunate to have through the years.
How we meet people can be quite humorous.
Think back to how you met some of the closest people in your life… Was it from where you grew up? How about high school or college? Maybe it was at church or in a business deal.
What was the spark that started that first conversation?
A similar sports team (my Notre Dame Fighting Irish are going to the national championship by the way!), a hobby or some other shared interest. There are untold ways that people connect that first time.
For some reason, some of my longest and most lasting relationships were formed discussing libations – imagine that! Some examples that come to mind:
Chuck: Been friends for over 13 years. We’ve run races together, moved across the country together (he moved back), seen our kids grow up together, changed occupations a few times together, etc… Our first conversation started with him discussing some new wine he had tried that weekend. Of course that caught my attention – 13 years later were still close friends (and have drank a fair bit of wine together over the years).
Crystal Martini Glasses from Villeroy & Boch.
Meherwan: Friends for nearly 8 years. How did we meet? Scotch…
I overheard him talking about paying $40 in San Francisco for a shot of Johnny Blue – he just had to try it. Obviously that caught my attention and now 8 years later we have worked together numerous times and our families have stayed close friends.
He showed me the original business plans for a new restaurant concept he thought up years ago called Chai Pani and now he is an enormously successful restaurateur with Chai Pani Asheville, MG Road (a killer bar I am involved with) and coming soon Chai Pani Decatur. (see www.chaipani.net) I feel honored to know him and his family. And it all started because of a simple conversation about scotch (and now many years later several actual bottles of scotch – McCallan 18 being his favorite and Dalwhinnie 15 mine).
So, as you head into this holiday season, think about WHAT you are thankful for. More importantly, think about WHO you are thankful for.
And who knows – maybe while your discussing the latest killer concoction you made from Lt. Dan’s inspiration – you will start a conversation with a soon to be lifelong friend.
Enjoy!
P.S. Before you send hate mail about how a Manhattan is supposed to have bourbon instead of Cognac and a cherry instead of an orange – let me say… I am aware of that fact.
BUT – in this case, I felt like the bourbon (which I tried numerous different kinds) was a bit too harsh. I also considered calling it a holiday Metropolitan, but felt it was really closer to a Manhattan. Either way, it tastes great – so call it whatever you see fit!
Yield: 1
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Spiced Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients:
Infused Vermouth:
2 cups sweet vermouth
1 tsp allspice
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole cloves
1 dash cayenne pepper
1 dash sea salt
Manhattan Cocktail:
2.5 oz Hennessy cognac
.75 oz infused vermouth
Dash of angostura bitters
Twist of orange
Sprinkle of fresh nutmeg
Directions:
To Infuse the Vermouth: Heat vermouth to just before boiling. Add all dry ingredients. Turn off heat, cover with lid and let steep for several hours. Pour through sifter into empty container.
For each Manhattan Cocktail: Pour Hennessy, vermouth and bitters in shaker. Add ice and shake. Pour into martini glass. Add twist of orange and sprinkle or zest nutmeg over the top.
More Holiday Cocktails:
Creamy Egg Nog ~ Epicurean Mom
Holiday Sangria ~ Aggie’s Kitchen
Ginger Pear Cocktail ~ The Boy’s Club
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31 Responses to “Spiced Manhattan Cocktail”
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You know how I feel about my cocktails… so, I don’t need to tell you how much I love this.
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This looks perfect for a holiday party!
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I love all of these spices. This is just gorgeous!
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Cinnamon and cloves and orange?! Ooh, so perfect for this time of year.
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Perfect way to warm up, Sommer!
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so pretty! Just pinned it!
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Gorgeous, Sommer!
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Lovely stories about the people in your life, and the cocktail is just gorgeous.
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It’s 5 o’clock somewhere! It looks awesome!
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This looks perfect!
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I could give you some grief about the Manhattan business but then you might have to swing by and return the favor when it comes to martinis! If it’s in a glass called a martini glass I don’t care if it’s chocolate milk, I’ll call it a chocolate milk martini!
The infused vermouth sounds fantastic and I might just have a new bottle calling out for it to be livened up a bit…thanks. Great cocktail!
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Such pretty pictures! And very festive!
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It’s extremely difficult to be creative with a classic like a Manhattan; especially with the few ingredients in it. You’ve not only done that but made it seasonal; bravo! Very clever!
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delicious– i’ll take one of these
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not a big drinker, but this one I want to try – just can’t afford Hennessey, so hopefully a lesser cognac will work well
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This post reminded me how much I could use a cocktail – a much needed reminder
The recipe looks great and I’m bound to make it over and over again for a nice winter night cap 
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I just popped by from An Edible Mosaic and am following via FB. Your cocktails look delicious. I could use one of these!
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What a perfect drink for the season!
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Love this! I could sure use a glass right now
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Spices make it more festive….
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I’m calling it delicious and I haven’t even tried it yet, it just great. It’s fun to remember how me met people, wonderful post!
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So pretty and festive!
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Beautiful thoughtful post. And that cocktail looks so warm and inviting and festive!
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So I AM a Manhattan purist, but if you hadn’t called it a Manhattan then I might not have clicked through, so in that regard you win. However, I’m still fighting a nasty cold so it’s just not on the menu tonight. Wondering if I can make the infused vermouth a day or two ahead?? Cannot wait to make this!
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What a great holiday cocktail and I just love that infused vermouth! Need to make this!
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Love your P.S. Shuts up purists perfectly.
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I call this fantastic!
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Is that 1 tsp Allspice ground or whole?
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